Unapproved Genetically Engineered Pigs
Accidentally Used for Animal Feed
                                                                               . . .Again

Polaris Institute 17feb04

Ottawa - Today the Globe and Mail reported, in only two sentences in "Canada in Brief", that experimental genetically engineered pigs from the Quebec firm TGN Biotech have accidentally been turned into chicken feed instead of being incinerated.

This is not the first time that experimental genetically engineered (GE) pigs have been turned into chicken feed by accident. In 2002 pig embryos from experiments at the University of Guelph were accidentally fed to chickens and turkeys in Ontario. No genetically engineered animals are currently approved by the government for commercial use in Canada, and this is therefore an illegal contamination event.

"Experiments to genetically engineer animals are an extreme environmental risk and human health hazard," said Lucy Sharratt of the Polaris Institute. "This reoccurring problem is absolutely unacceptable and speaks to an urgent and astonishing failure on the part of researchers as well as government."

The feed apparently got as far as individual farms but it is unclear how far the contamination reached into the food system. How complete and effective is recall?

"This type of accident is not an isolated incident and indicates a clear failure in regulation, inspection and monitoring of experiments in genetic engineering, "said Lucy Sharratt. "Will TGN Biotech be held to account for this contamination? How will it be prevented in the future? The company should be fined and restricted from doing these experiments. The private sector is careless with public and environmental health and cannot be trusted to conduct dangerous experiments with genetic technologies."

"Genetic contamination poses extreme challenges for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that they are not equipped to meet," said Sharratt, "The CFIA has neither the capacity nor the will to address the serious environmental and health risks posed by genetically engineered crops and animals. The whole structure of the regulatory system is built to sideline risk questions in order to commercialize these GE products and get them onto the market."

- 30 - For more information: Lucy Sharratt, Polaris Institute, (613) 237 1717

Joint Action to Control Release of GM Animal Material

OTTAWA, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - Federal officials today announced action to control a release of genetically modified animal material from TGN Biotech Inc., a Quebec research firm. When notified by researchers at TGN Biotech Inc., the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada (HC) and Environment Canada (EC) acted immediately to assess potential risk to human health, limit the distribution of the genetically modified material in animal feed, and determine potential violation of federal regulations. Because of the quick response, very few animals, if any, have consumed the affected feed.

Three female pigs from the research firm were sent to a rendering plant in Quebec. The rendered material was further distributed to a limited number of feed mills and farms. TGN Biotech Inc. develops genetically modified pigs. Only the male pigs produce pharmaceutical proteins for human and veterinary use. These proteins are not present in the female pigs.

Health Canada's health-risk assessment concluded and advised that, based on the information available, the low levels of rendered genetically modified material in the feed are not likely to result in human exposure or pose a health risk. Environment Canada is in the process of determining whether this error contravenes the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. A similar health risk assessment carried out by the CFIA has concluded that livestock consuming the affected feed are not at risk.

Since the material is an unapproved feed ingredient, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has taken steps to detain the rendered product and associated feed. The CIFA is working with the provincial environment ministries in order to ensure appropriate disposal of all products. The CFIA, as part of its responsibilities for the Feeds Act and Regulations, has traced the distribution of rendered products and animal feed to feed mills and farms in Quebec and Ontario. All parties - TGN Biotech Inc., feed mills and farms, distributors, and the renderer - are fully co-operating with the Government of Canada.

For further information: Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Media Relations: (613) 228-6682; Health Canada - Media Relations: (613) 941-8189; Environment Canada - Media Relations: (819) 953-4016; TGN Biotech Inc. - Jean-François Huc, President and CEO (418) 263-2000, ext. 202